CHAKACTEKS Or TRIBES AND GEXEEA. 367 



Sp. K. assculifolia, Bl. (v v.) {K. Assamica, Griff., Hook., 

 Journ. Bot, 2, t. 11, 12). 



Obs. — The tinder side of the frond of this Fern is 

 peculiar in being covered with stomata-like pores. 



Evolution of the fronds straight. 

 Tribe 29.— OPHIOGLOSSE^, B. Br. (Plate 29). 



Epigeous or epiphytal leafy plants, spores generated in 

 sudglohose, unilocular, coriaceous, homogenous, bivalved 

 sporangia, borne on special spikes or on panicles. 



Obs. — This tribe is distinguished by the vernation of the 

 fronds being straight, not spirally coiled, as in what is 

 generally called true Ferns ; it consists of about twenty 

 species, comprehended under the three following genera. 



In this country OpMoglossecs is represented by the 

 common Adder's-tongue Pern, 0. vidgatum and Botridmm, 

 luaaria, which, with several congeners, have a wide 

 geographical range, being found in all countries between 

 the limits of the south and north temperate zones. The 

 few epiphytal species are tropical or sub-tropical. 



218. — Ophioglossuji, Linn. (1737). 



Fronds ovate elliptical, lanceolate, entire or long and 

 linear, dichotomously forked or palmate. Veins reticulated. 

 Sporangia connate, in two rows, forming a distichous, 

 spike, produced from the disk of the frond, rarely a 

 special spike rising direct from the corm. 

 Type. O'phioglossum vidgatum, lAnn. 



Illust. Hook, and Bauer Gen. Fil., t. 59 B. ; Moore Ind. 

 Fil., p. 100 B, ; J. Sm. Ferns, Brit, and For., fig. 155 ; 

 Hook. Syn. Fil., t. 9, fig. 73. 



